Printing machine equipped with a device for the selective supply of sheets from two feed trays

Abstract

The printing machine comprises a device for the supply of sheets. This dee is constituted in the form of a removable unitary module comprising means for taking-up motion. Selection means are provided and comprise motion distributing means associated with said take-up means to direct the motion to means for extraction of sheets.

We claim: 
     
       1. A printing machine in combination with a removable module adapted to contain sheets to be printed, said printing machine having a single principal motor drivingly connected to a rotary member, said module having a support member;   at least two removable trays supported on said support member, said trays being adapted to contain sheets to be printed; at least one extraction means supported on said support member adjacent each of said trays and being adapted to engage and move said sheets out of said trays to said printing machine;   a motion transmission means adapted to cooperate with said rotary member to transmit motion therefrom to one or the other of said extraction means inside of said module, said transmission means including motion distributing means rotatably supported about a pivot axis on said support member and being adapted to drivingly engage said extraction means;   a first pulley rotatably mounted coaxially with said pivot axis of said motion distributing means;   an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end coaxially with said pivot axis of said motion distributing means and having its other end extending outside of said module toward said principal motor;   a second pulley rotatably mounted on said other end of said arm coaxially with a drive wheel which is adapted to engage said rotary member;   an endless belt connecting said first pulley to said second pulley;   drive means supported by said support member and drivingly connected to said motion distributing means to rotate it in one direction to engage it with one extraction means and to rotate it in an opposite direction to engage it with the other extraction means; and   means supported by said support member to elastically urge said drive wheel against said rotary member of said printing machine.   
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said motion distributing means comprises a balance wheel supported for rotation coaxially with said pivot for said elongated arm, a driven wheel fastened to said first pulley, at least one satellite wheel rotatably supported on said balance wheel and being drivingly engaged with said driven wheel and being adapted to drivingly engage said extraction means. 
     
     
       3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said drive means for the rotation of said balance wheel comprise a drive member coupled to said balance wheel and shaped as a pivoting circular sector having an arcuate edge, an electric motor, the output shaft of which cooperates in rotation with said arcuate edge of said drive member. 
     
     
       4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said module comprises two trays, said balance wheel supports two satellite wheels adapted to cooperate selectively with said extraction means for said sheets, and said electric motor adapted to be actuated in both directions of rotation. 
     
     
       5. The invention of claim 1, wherein elastic return means are supported on said support member to bring back said motion distributing means to a neutral position, wherein said motion distributing means is not engaged with either extraction means, when said drive means for said distributing means is not in operation. 
     
     
       6. A printing machine in combination with a removable module adapated to contain sheets to be printed, said printing machine having a single principal motor drivingly connected to a rotary member, said module means having a support member;   at least two removable trays supported on said support member, said trays being adapted to contain sheets to be printed;   extraction rollers rotatably supported on said support member adjacent each of said trays, respectively, and being adapted to engage and move said sheets out of said trays to said printing machine;   a motion transmission means adapted to cooperate with said rotary member to transmit motion therefrom to one or the other of said extraction rollers inside of said module, said transmission means including   a balance wheel rotatably supported on said support member;   satellite wheels rotatably supported on said balance wheel;   a first pulley rotatably mounted coaxially with said balance wheel and being drivingly engaged with said satellite wheels;   an elongated arm pivotally mounted at one end coaxially with said balance wheel and having its other end extending outside of said module toward said principal motor;   a second pulley rotatably mounted on said other end of said arm and being adapted to be drivingly engaged by said rotary member;   an endless belt connecting said first pulley to said second pulley;   a motor means supported by said support member and drivingly connected to said balance wheel to rotate it in one direction to engage one satellite wheel with one extraction roller and to rotate it in an opposite direction to engage the other satellite wheel with the other extraction roller; and   means supported by said support member to elastically urge said second pulley toward said rotary member of said printing machine.